The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (H. Bowden, Ldg. Seaman, H.M.S. Mariner) toned, very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Henry Bowden was born on 1 December 1860 in the village of Charles, near Plymouth, Devon. He joined the service as a Boy 1st Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 12 January 1876 when aged 16 years, transferred to IMPLACABLE (January 1876) and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 31 January 1877. He next joined DEFENCE (August 1877) and advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 1 December 1878. In this rate he served aboard the following ships: ROYAL ADELAIDE (December 1878), TYNE (January 1881), VICTOR EMMANUEL (March 1881), and COMUS (April 1881). In the latter ship he was advanced to Able Seaman on 1 December 1881, and subsequently served in this rank aboard CAMBRIDGE (March 1884), VERNON (March 1884), CAMBRIDGE (February 1885), DEFIANCE (March 1885), and MARINER (March 1885). Whilst aboard the latter ship he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 7 August 1886, and he took part in the Burma Campaign of 1885-87. He joined CAMBRIDGE (January 1889) and was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1 July 1889 and to Petty Officer 1st Class on 2 May 1890. He subsequently served in this rate aboard DEFIANCE (November 1890), CAMBRIDGE (February 1891), VIVID (February 1891) and CAMBRIDGE (October 1891). He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1889 whilst serving aboard H.M.S. CAMBRIDGE.

He was promoted to Acting Gunner (Warrant Officer) on 17 December 1892, and appointed to the Boy Training establishment H.M.S. BOSCAWEN in January 1893, and served next aboard REDBREAST (March 1893), CUCKOO (September 1896), and CLEOPATRA (August 1899). He was appointed to the Boy Training Establishment IMPREGNABLE in October 1902 and pensioned ashore in June 1906. He died circa 1907.